Vim & Vigor - Winter 2008 - (Page 27)

small changes, big effectyosu can do to encourage in your 60s ❋ WHAT’S GOING ON: Any declines in heart function are continuations of gradual things, Goldberg says. Arteries stiffen, blood pressure may continue to rise. Though you’re more susceptible to attacks and strokes in this decade and beyond, if you’ve been taking care of your heart the past few decades, your risk is much lower. ❋ WARNING: If you still smoke, or have high cholesterol or diabetes, your risk of developing abovenormal blood pressure (anything over 120/80) is elevated. For most Americans, this decade (speciﬁcally after age 65) brings increased risk of heart attack, stroke, coronary heart disease and high blood pressure leading to heart failure. That’s why it’s more important gs Many of the thin health are easy: long-term heart the ING. “Exercise is 1. START WALK ase pren for a heart dise greatest foundatio dberg, ,” says Nieca Gol vention program for the d spokeswoman ., cardiologist an M.D should Association. “You American Heart your life.” hour, every day of get at least a halft of breath gh if you’re shor It’s intense enou increase k. To lose weight, but can still spea to 90 minutes. the length to 60 DOC’S GULAR AT THE 2. BECOME A RE ar could w minutes each ye OFFICE. Only a fe . th to heart health put you on the pa ly heard ITRI. You’ve sure 3. DINE LIKE DIM editerrae heart-healthy M the buzz about th cuisine upgrades to your diet. Make small nean ting fresh ead of butter, ea using olive oil inst by ible and s whenever poss fruits and veggie fatty acids. h rich in omega-3 incorporating fis t nap TA. Taking a shor SNEAK IN A SIES 4. risk by ses heart disease ter lunch decrea af published in rding to a study 37 percent, acco rnal Medicine. the Archives of Inte than ever to maintain healthy habits. ❋ RED FLAGS: One in every two people has high blood pressure (hypertension) by age 60, and heart disease and stroke make up 40 percent of all deaths among people age 65 to 74. While this may sound dire, you can get your blood pressure under control with diet and medication. Just be sure to work closely with your doctor. in your 70s ❋ WHAT’S GOING ON: Here’s the payoff: after a life of healthy habits, the 70-yearold heart is largely indistinguishable from a younger person’s heart, Goldberg says. Even though your heart rate during vigorous exercise will be somewhat slower than that of a younger person (your maximum heart rate is now around 145, while it was 190 to 200 in your early 30s), the heart cells have grown in size to compensate. ❋ WARNING: It’s never too late to quit smoking, eat healthier or become more physically active. Even in your 70s, aerobic exercise like swimming or water aerobics can diminish some effects of aging and a previously unhealthy lifestyle. ❋ RED FLAGS: At this stage, be on the lookout for symptoms of heart attack, such as discomfort in the chest or upper body, shortness of breath, breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. Call 911 right away if you or a family member experiences these symptoms. listen up! Keep up with the latest news (and technology) by subscribing to podcasts from the American Heart Association at americanheart.org. Enter “podcast” in the search box to sign up. Even if you don’t have a digital music player (like an iPod), you can still be in the know by listening to the updates on your computer. go vim & vigor · wi nter 2008 27 http://www.americanheart.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2008

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2008 Contents Friendly Faces For Your Health 'Tis the Season to be Safe Eat Your Veggies Joint Effort Fresh Beginnings Decades of Opportunity Keeping Score Your Big Give Roll Up Your Sleeve Tidings of Comfort and Health Blueprint for Safety The Smoke-Free Mom-to-Be Childbirth Trends Moms Choosing Midwives Community Sections Dollars & Sense Ask the Experts

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2008

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